I asked Craig Busch how old he was when he started his business. It actually began in 1985 and today embraces seven companies in two countries, exporting internationally. “I was 15,” he said. “But not when I started Busch Systems. First I designed and made jewellery; then I had an extensive paperroute. Then I was…
If Lynn Price were developing an organization chart, her position of CAO would be at the bottom. Just above it would be all the second-in-commands, those overseeing specialty areas. Above them would be the employees, the administrative, finance, policy, and front line people. At the top of Lynn’s org chart would be the clients. Lynn…
About Your Business As most self employed people know, there’s so much more to running your own business than simply doing it! Mark Evans of ME Consulting, in his blog, puts out a few thoughts for those with concierge businesses, and I’d like to add a bit here. Entitled 5 Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs, his…
I’m writing this sitting at a makeshift table in a back office at Christmas Cheer. We have cavernous space this year, and it’s quickly filled up with toys and food and donated goodness. A virtual army of volunteers has found us on Tiffin St and filled out the volunteer forms, donned a name tag and…
There they go… aren’t they cute? Look at the mismatched plaid; and do you think she knows she’s wearing those colours together? They are SO cute! Yup, that’s where we’re headed, my first husband and I. It occurred to me this week when I hauled my navy blue dress slacks out of the closet. Turned…
There are over 90 donor boxes for food and toys all over Barrie. There are coin boxes in coffee shops and TD banks. The website accepts online donations. The postal box, #161, Barrie, L4M 4T2 is waiting for envelopes full of cheques. Book clubs are buying children’s books to donate. Company Christmas parties are focussing…
Welcome to Barrie, Ontario’s most progressive city! That’s the slogan. I look at Dunlop St and feel sick to my stomach. Downtown Barrie is a mass of mud and construction… storm sewers, according to media reports. The problem is the powers that be have planned this to occur in all directions, effectively cutting businesses off…
There are lots of older Barrie residents this week who are experiencing real sadness around the closing of Gryphon Theatre. As Gryphon gives way to other performing arts in our community, it gives us the chance to reflect and celebrate the true achievement that occurred in young Barrie in 1969, population 22,000. They were founding…
He was about 7 years old and he shuffled in to the Christmas Cheer office in his big winter boots, a toque and his winter coat. He was holding a small cardboard box. It held all his birthday money… $82 in coins. That was the first year I met William Parry and our website has…
Just past the museum, on the other side of the road, on Highway 26 is the Barrie Sports Complex. 117 acres of sports mecca, all devoted to people who love ball… baseball, softball, slo-pitch, soccer, football… ball! This complex is the envy of out-of-town teams. This year, the Pavilion that pulls is all together is…